Photo: Bob Knoebel
“Spend the afternoon, you can’t take it with you.”
– Annie Dillard
Silver Creek
Fall has arrived on the Creek. You can hear elk bugling in the Aspen grove and see browns prepping to spawn. The late morning usually features a smattering of Tricos and Baetis followed by Callibaetis, Mahogany Duns, and October Caddis. The timing of the hatch is temperature dependent, so check the weather before you go. Terrestrials can work well, especially if the wind picks up. Small Baetis nymphs can be effective when the hatch is slow. Remember, if you spot browns on redds, leave them alone. Heads up… As of Aug. 24th, the Kilpatrick Bridge and access to the Preserve from the east side has been closed for construction. Construction on the bridge, as well as dredging the Pond, is scheduled to run through January 4th. During this time there will be several different closures in place—float tube access, recreational floating, waterfowl hunting, parking, and hiking. For questions about the bridge replacement, contact Blaine County at (208) 788-5500 or blainecountyid.gov. Direct questions about the dredging project to the Silver Creek Alliance at director@silvercreekalliance.org or (208 ) 720-4525. For questions about access to the Silver Creek Preserve, please contact (208) 788-7910.
The Big Wood
Hecubas (aka Red Quills) have been seen up and down the river and even if you don’t see them, the trout are keying on them. You will also see Baetis (size 20) hatching in the afternoon as well as flying ants and small cream colored crane flies are also fluttering about. The best approach is to fish a high-floating dry, like a parachute ant, caddis, or Hecuba, with a small nymph trailing behind.
Big Lost below Mackay
Flows have dropped and are currently at 260 CFS. As the day warms, expect to see some Tricos and good numbers of Baetis through midday into the early afternoon. Look for rising fish in seams, slow tail-outs, and shallow riffles. When the bugs disappear, be ready to nymph with small Baetis or midge patterns. Streamers are also effective.
Upper Big Lost
The water is very low and has cleared after last week’s blowout. Success is dependent on covering a ton of water. Make your first cast count as the fish seldom give you a second chance. You will see similar fall bugs here as you will see on the Wood. Also, the morning temps are in the 30s, so no need to start too early.
Salmon River
Chilly mornings on the Salmon makes this a great place to have a leisurely start. Try nymphs or streamers in the seams and tail-outs. As the day warms, the fish will move out of the buckets and into the shallow riffles. Small attractors and October caddis patterns can bring fish to the surface.
South Fork of the Boise
With flows at 300 CFS, it is ideal wade fishing time on the South Fork. You may see Flavs and fall Baetis during the day, along with a few crane flies skittering about. The evening caddis activity remains strong. If bugs are scarce, try a hopper dropper rig, deep nymphing with a bobber, or Euro style.
Local Ponds
Recommended Flies
Silver Creek: Baetis 20-24 | Callibaetis 16,18 | Tricos | Damsels | Terrestrials | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers
Big Lost: Tricos | Crane Flies | Baetis 18, 20 | Midge 20-24 | Red Quills | Streamers
Big Wood: Tricos | Caddis | Red Quills | Chubby Chernobyls | Rubber Legged Stones | Streamers
Salmon: Caddis | Spruce Moths | Hoppers | Chubby Chernobyl | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
Southfork of the Boise: Pink Alberts | Baetis | Flavs | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 72.9 cfs |
| Big Wood | 136 cfs |
| Big Lost Below Mackay | 268 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 300 cfs |
| Salmon | 520 cfs |
